Criminal Justice Reform

America’s criminal justice system should keep communities safe, treat people fairly, and use fiscal resources wisely. ACLU-TN advocates for a criminal justice system that fosters public safety by reducing mass incarceration and ensuring police accountability. We work to ensure that constitutional protections are afforded to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity or income. We also confront discriminatory or unfair police practices and challenge the broken death penalty system.

ACLU filed a motion for leave to file a friend-of-the-court brief in support of bail reform in the Tennessee Supreme Court case of Delchon Weatherspoon, who is currently confined in a Shelby County jail cell.

District Attorney General Glenn Funk today announced that he will not file charges against the police officer who killed Jocques Clemmons. Hedy Weinberg, ACLU of Tennessee executive director, released the following statement in response:

A federal judge has certified that a lawsuit challenging the Tennessee Department of Corrections’ systematic denial of treatment to inmates infected with Hepatitis C (HCV) can proceed as a class action.

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ACLU-TN is freedom’s watchdog, challenging government abuse of rights and fighting for fairness in our laws and their enforcement. We are dedicated to translating the guarantees of the Bill of Rights into reality for all Tennesseans.